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zippy13 · March 20, 2010, 11:05 AM

Experienced shooters, who are looking to maximize their scores, typically use:

# 7 1/2 shot for trap (the the largest size allowed by the rules) or
# 9 shot for Skeet (the smallest allowed for skeet).

Mossy500's remark about shot size seems based in inexperience. Skeet targets are close-in crossing shots where you want to put as many pellets in their paths as possible (# 9s). In trap, the targets are broken at a greater distance so larger shot (# 7 1/2) is needed to reach out to them. The smaller Skeet pellets will lose energy before reaching the trap target. Of course, you can use you whatever you want (many clubs limit you to no shot larger than #7 1/2 for safety reasons).

Look at it this way: if you use #7 1/2 shot for skeet you're putting out roughly 338 pellets per 1 1/8-oz load of shot, with # 9s your pellet count goes up to 658. That's almost double the number of chances of breaking the target. Also, Skeet and trap target grade ammo will have higher quality components (specifically the quality of the shot) than the bargain promotional "sport" ammo. You get what you pay for.

March 20, 2010, 11:05 AM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Experienced shooters, who are looking to maximize their scores, typically use: # 7 1/2 shot for trap (the the largest size allowed by the rules) or # 9 shot for Skeet (the smallest allowed for skeet). Mossy500's remark about shot size seems based in inexperience. Skeet targets are close-in crossing shots where you want to put as many pellets in their paths as possible (# 9s). In trap, the targets are broken at a greater distance so larger shot (# 7 1/2) is needed to reach out to them. The smaller Skeet pellets will lose energy before reaching the trap target. Of course, you can use you whatever you want (many clubs limit you to no shot larger than #7 1/2 for safety reasons). Look at it this way: if you use #7 1/2 shot for skeet you're putting out roughly 338 pellets per 1 1/8-oz load of shot, with # 9s your pellet count goes up to 658. That's almost double the number of chances of breaking the target. Also, Skeet and trap target grade ammo will have higher quality components (specifically the quality of the shot) than the bargain promotional "sport" ammo. You get what you pay for.